Abstract: The present application describes a urine sensing probe and a system for detecting urine. The urine sensing probe includes a needle having a tubular portion and one or more optical fibers positioned within the needle. The one or more optical fibers have a distal surface that is oriented towards a beveled distal section of the needle and is oriented to one of its lateral sides. The distal surface of the one or more optical fibers ranges from about 90 to a critical angle with respect to a vertical axis of the needle. The present application also describes a system for sensing urine including a urine sensing probe.

Abstract: The present application describes an optical sensor for measuring oxygen gas levels in a medium. The optical sensor includes a substrate having a first and second surface. The optical sensor also includes a first coating applied on the first surface of the substrate. The first coating may include an oxygen impermeable matrix doped with a first fluorophore. The optical sensor may include a second coating applied on the substrate. The present application also describes a capnography system for measuring oxygen including an optical sensor and an algorithm to estimate the maxima of oxygen levels from instantaneous oxygen levels and calculating instantaneous carbon dioxide levels from the difference between average maximum oxygen gas level and instantaneous oxygen gas level.

Abstract: The present application describes an optical sensor for measuring oxygen gas levels in a medium. The optical sensor includes a substrate having a first and second surface. The optical sensor also includes a first coating applied on the first surface of the substrate. The first coating may include an oxygen impermeable matrix doped with a first fluorophore. The optical sensor may include a second coating applied on the substrate. The present application also describes a capnography system for measuring oxygen including an optical sensor and an algorithm to estimate the maxima of oxygen levels from instantaneous oxygen levels and calculating instantaneous carbon dioxide levels from the difference between average maximum oxygen gas level and instantaneous oxygen gas level.

Abstract: The present application describes a urine sensing probe and a system for detecting urine. The urine sensing probe includes a needle having a tubular portion and one or more optical fibers positioned within the needle. The one or more optical fibers have a distal surface that is oriented towards a beveled distal section of the needle and is oriented to one of its lateral sides. The distal surface of the one or more optical fibers ranges from about 90 to a critical angle with respect to a vertical axis of the needle. The present application also describes a system for sensing urine including a urine sensing probe.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an Oxygen sensing patch that can be attached to the interior surface of packages for oxygen interrogation inside the package. The Oxygen sensing patch is integrated into the inside of the package during the packaging manufacturing process and, when used with a blue LED and fluorometer, will quantitatively report the amount of oxygen in the package. The Oxygen sensing patch is suitable for measuring oxygen in gas, such as headspace applications, and in liquid. Oxygen is sensed by measuring the phase shift of fluorescence of the fluorophore immobilized in the Oxygen sensing patch. The patch can be non-intrusively interrogated by a light source. The interrogation can be done using a phase fluorometer where oxygen level is desired, or inspected visually for color change using a hand held blue LED.

Abstract: This invention belongs to the field of optical chemical sensors. Specifically, it relates to sensors based on the absorbance and emission of light by an indicator molecule where the optical properties of the indicator molecule change in response to a particular analyte. These indicator molecules are immobilized in a transparent substance that is exposed to light, where the substance is typically a solid such as a sol-gel or a polymer. More specifically, it is a new process for manufacturing a material (a medium or matrix) to hold or encapsulate sensing molecules. This new material has an improved resistance to exposure to hydrocarbons. These materials are used to immobilize colorimetric and/or fluorescence indicators in a matrix that repels hydrocarbons in general and non-polar hydrocarbons (i.e. aromatics hydrocarbons) in particular.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an Oxygen sensing patch that can be attached to the interior surface of packages for oxygen interrogation inside the package. The Oxygen sensing patch is integrated into the inside of the package during the packaging manufacturing process and, when used with a blue LED and fluorometer, will quantitatively report the amount of oxygen in the package. The Oxygen sensing patch is suitable for measuring oxygen in gas, such as headspace applications, and in liquid. Oxygen is sensed by measuring the phase shift of fluorescence of the fluorophore immobilized in the Oxygen sensing patch. The patch can be non-intrusively interrogated by a light source. The interrogation can be done using a phase fluorometer where oxygen level is desired, or inspected visually for color change using a hand held blue LED.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a material, (medium or matrix) to hold or encapsulate sensing molecules with enhanced sensitivity to oxygen gas and dissolved oxygen by mixing a platinum compound with sol-gel monomers and then coating the tip of an optical fiber is disclosed. The sol-gel polymerizes, trapping the platinum compound in an oxygen permeable glass like solid. The high quenching efficiency of the Pt compound upon oxygen exposure makes the sensor extremely sensitive to oxygen partial pressure variations and also resistant to exposure to hydrocarbons.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of optical chemical sensors which utilize indicator molecules to detect a particular analyte in a sample, wherein the indicator molecules produce a detectable response when exposed to the particular analyte to which the indicator molecule is sensitive. Specifically, this invention relates to the use of a matrix embedded within a membrane, where the matrix enhances the scattering of light and serves as a support which provides superior mechanical strength. The invention also relates to methods of using the improved sensor in conjunction with fiber optic probes.